Each year, Christmas Walk festivities and activities offer something for everyone — young and old alike.

The 2012 Christmas Walk, previously known as the Victorian Walk, will be Dec. 8 in Geneseo.

The event starts with a 5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk at 2 p.m. Registration details are available online at www.getmeregistered.com or the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce office. Awards will be presented for participants in the best Christmas costumes.

First Methodist Church will host performances by elementary and middle school choirs. Geneseo Middle School's choir will perform at 3 p.m., followed by choirs from Southwest Elementary School (3:30 p.m.), Millikin Elementary School (4 p.m.) and Northside Elementary School (4:30 p.m.).

During the afternoon of Dec. 8, children can participate in children's crafts at Smith Art Studio, 124 S. State St.; cookie decorating at Websites to Impress, 200 S. State St.; and have their photo taken with Buddy the Elf at Maple Leaf Medical, 111 S. State St.

"We will have live alpacas at the corner of State and First streets. We want to continue to bring live animals into the festivities because people of all ages love animals," said Brian DeJohn, executive director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce.

There will be a variety of food vendors during the afternoon and evening hours, including roasted chestnuts in the evening, served by Dr. Charles LoGiudice, in front of Village Home Stores.

At 5 p.m., a lighted parade will kick off the evening activities with lighted floats with themes including a teddy bear and an angel. Also in the parade will be lighted float entries from area businesses, individuals and organizations.

The lighted parade will travel through downtown Geneseo, from north to south, and conclude at the boulevard where Santa Claus and Geneseo mayor Linda VanDerLeest will light the Christmas tree.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to visit with youngsters from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Call to Victory Christian Youth Center (the former Geneseo Public Library) on South State St.

Dan Rettig of Geneseo will give coloring books to children.

Personalized wooden Christmas ornaments by local artist Vicky Walker will be available at Coffee Break, 123 South State St.

The Geneseo Chamber of Commerce also will offer 2012 commemorative Christmas Walk ornaments for sale from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hanford Insurance Office, 119 South State St.

Also from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., living and still window scenes will be showcased up and down State St.

Window scene themes range from "The Rockettes" and "Winter Wonderland" to square dancers and a guitarist.

A variety of foods will be served at First Presbyterian, First Methodist, First Lutheran, First Congregational and Concordia churches.

First Methodist Church also will be the setting of "Journey to Bethlehem,"

Page 2 of 2 - Members of the Moline Boys Choir will perform a pair of concerts at Concordia Lutheran Church at 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

"A String Thing," featuring Constance Deal and her violin students will be showcased at 5 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 101 West Pearl St.

Geneseo High School Madrigal Singers will be featured at 6 p.m. at Central Theater, 111 North State St., and at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church, where members of the Madrigal Brass will perform at 6:30 p.m.

Central Theater will host "Letters to Santa" from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. followed by a free Christmas movie from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Geneseo Park District will host an "Everything Christmas Indoor Market" from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 8. The event will feature a cookie walk hosted by members of St. John's Lutheran Church as well as other gift vendors.

Children are invited to tackle a Jingle Bell Obstacle Course at the Geneseo Community Center from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The course is sponsored by the Geneseo Park District and DHCU. Obstacles will include a sled drag, snowball roll, snowball throw and more.

A Jingle Bell Skate will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Geneseo Community Center. Area residents are invited to the roller skating event. An admission fee will be charged. Skates may be rented at the community center.